Man Utd and Chelsea join anti-homophobia campaign

LONDON (AP) _ Manchester United and Chelsea have joined a national campaign against homophobia in football that is aiming to win the support of at least half of England's professional clubs.

Eleven Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Manchester City have joined the 2014 Football vs. Homophobia program so far, pledging to speak out against homophobia and to support the campaign's activities.

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan says that the month-long campaign, which is backed by Sports Minister Helen Grant, ``sends out a message that there is no place for discrimination in football, nor in any sport.''

Last month, retired player Thomas Hitzlsperger became the biggest name in football to come out as gay. Former English player Justin Fashanu was the first to go public, in 1990. He committed suicide eight years later.